Soldiers in Training and Operations

Images of soldiers engaged in various training exercises and operational tasks, highlighting teamwork, skill development, and military preparedness.

Soldiers of Squad Seven, representing the U.S. Army Reserve, prepare for the M240B machine gun lane during the Army's first-ever Best Squad Competition, held on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Oct. 2, 2022. The "Squad" extends beyond a traditional infantry squad to any small-unit group of soldiers, connected by a squad leader, who has the most direct impact on their lives. Soldiers never fight alone, the unbreakable bonds forged through shared hardship and unending support for one another are the hallmark of our most successful small units.

Staff Sgt. Edwin Pierce, an observer coach/trainer for the 120th Infantry Brigade, right, photographs Spc. Michael Stevens, a public affairs mass communications specialist for the 361st Theater Public Affairs Support Element, left, record video footage footage of Soldiers of the 317th Engineer Company, 863rd Engineer Battalion, 372nd Engineer Brigade, prepare a Bangalore torpedo charge July 26, 2021, at Fort McCoy, Wis. The 361st TPASE is preparing for an upcoming deployment to the U.S. Army Central area of responsibility.

British army Lance Cpl. Onyebuchi Egemonye, assigned to the 1st Armoured Medical Regiment, Royal Army Medical Corps, steadies the head of U.S. Army Spc. Ryan Lundeen, assigned to the 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, during a multinational ambulance exchange point training during Defender 22 at Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, May 26, 2022. Defender Europe is a series of U.S. Army Europe and Africa multinational training exercises in Eastern Europe; it demonstrates the ability to conduct large-scale ground combat operations across multiple theaters in support of NATO.

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Mk-Ada-Quet Genereaux, a squad leader assigned to 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, helps his Soldier zero their weapon for the 3rd ID Best Squad Competition at the Small Arms Zulu Range at Fort Stewart, Georgia, May 26, 2022. Competition events, like the Best Squad Competition, are a test of grit, resiliency, and readiness as the 3rd ID's method to promote lethality along with unit cohesion.

Cadets Logan Ellis and Cameron Campbell, Presbyterian College, roll Austin Caughman onto a litter to transport him safely back and report a 9-line (calling in a combat injury) during the simulated Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) event on October 15, 2022. The second day of 4th Brigades Army ROTC Ranger Challenge at Fort A.P. Hill saw teams competing in ten different events, before ending their day and the competition with a 6-mile ruck. The top two teams go on to represent 4th Brigade in the Sandhurst Military Skills Competition held at West Point Military Academy in April 2023. | Photo by Sarah Windmueller, U.S. Army Cadet Command Public Affairs

U.S. Army Sgt. Jordon Robbins, a horizontal construction engineer assigned to the 185th Engineer Support Company, Maine Army National Guard, readies his Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology, or JSLIST, during a simulated chemical weapons attack at Stones Ranch Military Reservation, East Lyme, Connecticut, May 10, 2022. Soldiers competing in the 2022 Army National Guard Region One Best Warrior Competition had to react to a simulated gas attack which included donning their gas mask and putting on their chemical protective uniforms before continuing on with their mission.

Soldiers of Squad Seven, representing the U.S. Army Reserve, prepare for the M240B machine gun lane during the Army's first-ever Best Squad Competition, held on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Oct. 2, 2022. The "Squad" extends beyond a traditional infantry squad to any small-unit group of soldiers, connected by a squad leader, who has the most direct impact on their lives. Soldiers never fight alone, the unbreakable bonds forged through shared hardship and unending support for one another are the hallmark of our most successful small units.

Paratroopers assigned to Charlie Troop, 1-73 Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division participate in Squad Lanes for the XVIII Airborne Corps Best Squad Competition on Fort Stewart, GA, July 28, 2022. During the Best Squad Competition, competitors were tested on a wide range of subjects including land navigation, marksmanship, casualty care, physical fitness, small-unit tactics and endurance.

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class David Jones, operations advisor, 4th Security Force Assistance Brigade, communicates with soldiers assigned to the 42nd Mechanized Battalion, 2nd Mechanized Brigade, Bulgarian Land Forces, during a demonstration rehearsal for Bulgarias Armed Forces Day at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria, May 5, 2022. The 4th SFAB partners with select Allied and partner land forces to increase internal capability and interoperability in support of U.S. Army Europe and Africa security cooperation objectives. This provides USAREUR-AF the opportunity to improve combined force interoperability in an environment of mutual learning.

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 66th Military Intelligence Brigade plot a course to their objective at the medical lane during the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Squad Competition in Grafenwoehr, Germany, August 10, 2022. Teams from across U.S. Army Europe and Africa test their tactical proficiency, communication, and overall cohesion as they compete for the title of Best Squad. Winners of this competition will advance to represent U.S. Army Europe and Africa at the U.S. Army Best Squad Competition at Fort Bragg, North Carolina later this year.

A Soldier of Squad 7, United States Army Reserves, makes adjustments to their iron sights at a zero range during the U.S. Army Best Squad Competition at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Oct. 2, 2022. The Army Best Squad Competition tests Soldiers on their individual and collective ability to adapt to and overcome challenging scenarios and battle-readiness events that test their physical endurance, technical skills, and tactical abilities under stress and extreme fatigue.

10th Mountain Soldiers work together in order to put snow chains on a HMMV in under 10 minutes. Teams compete for the fastest time before progressing to the next exercise.

Arizona Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 158th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team prepare the mortar rounds to support a live-fire mission during Exportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC) program at Camp Roberts, California, July 18, 2022. The XCTC Program provided tailorable training in a tactical field environment.

Sgt. Richard Carlson, a Health Care Specialist with the Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Battalion, 94th Cavalry Regiment loads his magazine for the Croatian service rifle as part of the weapons qualification task during the Croatian Best Soldier Competition on May 24, 2022, near Slunj, Croatia. Croatia and Minnesota have worked together for over 25 years as part of the National Guards State Partnership Program which enable them to particpate in events like this. (Minnesota National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Sydney Mariette)

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 21st Theater Sustainment Command team conduct the skills level 1 lane during the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Squad Competition at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Aug. 10, 2022. Teams from across U.S. Army Europe and Africa test their tactical proficiency, communication, and overall cohesion as they compete for the title of Best Squad. Winners of this competition will advance to represent U.S. Army Europe and Africa at the U.S. Army Best Squad Competition at Fort Bragg, North Carolina later this year.

U.S. Army squads from across III Armored Corps compete for the title of the corps Best Squad during a head-to-head competition at the III Armored Corps Best Squad Competition 2022 at Fort Hood, Texas, Jun. 23, 2022. On day two of the competition, the squad representing 75th Field Artillery Brigade based out of Fort Sill, Oklahoma, raced against the clock during a Tactical Field Care simulation. The squad prepares for the test by packing a medical care kit. The III Armored Corps pulled only the best from across its divisions and separate brigades to compete in this years inaugural competition. The best squad goes on to compete in the U.S. Army Forces Command competition at Fort Hood in August.

Soldiers with the 341st Medical Multifunction Battalion from Seagoville, Texas secure casualty to litter during a medical evacuation training during the Golden Coyote Training Exercise at Camp Rapid, South Dakota, June 14, 2022. Golden Coyote is a three-phase, scenario-driven exercise conducted in South Dakota and Wyoming, which enables commanders to focus on mission essential task requirements, warrior tasks and battle drills, including performing a hot-cold litter carry.

New York National Guard Maj. Edgardo Sosa, a field surgeon assigned to the 466th Area Support Medical Company, assists unit medics conducting medical evacuation training with medevac aircrews of C Company, 1st Battalion, 171st General Support Aviation at Floyd Bennet Memorial Airport in Queensbury, New York, October 20th, 2019. The training prepares the medics of the 466th for mobilization and deployment overseas in 2020. U.S. Army National Guard

U.S. Army Soldiers participating in Jungle School perform medical evacuation and jungle penetrator training at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, on Sept. 22, 2022. Jungle students learned how to load a casualty onto the HH-60M Blackhawk correctly and were shown how the jungle penetrator works.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Noah Gehring, left and U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kelson Bunn, both bulk fuel specialist with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Rein.), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, attach a fuel hose to a fuel bladder at a forward arming and refueling point, on Ie Shima, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 14, 2024. A FARP is a point of operations to refuel and rearm U.S. aircrafts outside of a forward operating base. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the America Amphibious Ready Group in the 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo- Pacific region. Marine Corps

An Albanian special forces soldier practices administering a tourniquet during a stress fire exercise as part of a joint combined exchange training near Tirana, Albania, Feb. 27, 2024. Albania special operations forces and the 10th SFG(A) conducted JCET to enhance interoperability and strengthen military readiness, teamwork, and joint confidence while promoting peace and stability in Europe. Army

U.S. Navy Corpsmen 3d Marine Division and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members conduct a mass casualty evacuation drill during Resolute Dragon 22 on Shikaribetsu Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 6, 2022. Resolute Dragon 22 is an annual bilateral exercise designed to strengthen the defensive capabilities of the U.S.-Japan Alliance by exercising integrated command and control, targeting, combined arms, and maneuver across multiple domains.

U.S. Army Spc. Nicholas Ringle, a signal support specialist assigned to Charlie Company, 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, pulls a camouflage netting over a Humvee at a re-transmission site near Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, June 23, 2022. The 3/4 ABCT is among other units assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, proudly working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America's forward-deployed corps in Europe.

An Iowa Army National Guard Soldier assigned to the mortar platoon in Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment, and a member of the Kosovo Security Force, prepare to fire an M224 60 mm lightweight mortar system during a live-fire exercise at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, on May 29, 2022. Approximately 15 KSF troops embedded with companies in the 1-133rd Infantry during a two-week annual training exercise. Senior leaders in the IANG and KSF visited each company near the end of the exercise to observe the full integration of KSF troops and recognize Soldiers who demonstrated excellence throughout their training. The tour was also an opportunity for KSF leaders to gain a more comprehensive understanding of IANG training requirements, equipment and logistics.

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 921st Field Hospital, 176th Medical Brigade, 807th Medical Command, a U.S. Army Reserve unit, tend to a casualtys leg during a medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) rehearsal at Justified Accord 2024 (JA24) in Nanyuki, Kenya, Feb. 27, 2024. JA24 is U.S. Africa Command's largest exercise in East Africa, running from Feb. 26 - March 7. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), and hosted in Kenya, this year's exercise will incorporate personnel and units from 23 nations. This multinational exercise builds readiness for the U.S. joint force, prepares regional partners for UN and AU mandated missions, and increases multinational interoperability in support of humanitarian assistance, disaster response and crisis response. Army

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Kaleb Wagner, left, a squad leader with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, attaches a rope to Pvt. Patrickgabriel Robin, a mortarman with Weapons Co., 2nd Bn., 5th Marines, during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel course hosted by Expeditionary Operations Training Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Feb. 6, 2024. The TRAP course is designed to develop the capabilities of Marines to recover aircraft, personnel and equipment in austere environments. EOTG is a section of the I MEF command element that trains and evaluates deploying Marine Expeditionary Units, and other designated forces, in select individual and collective tasks to prepare them to support geographic combatant commands. Wagner is a native of Ohio. Robin is a native of the Philippines. Marine Corps

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. - Cadets from the Kansas and Oklahoma Army National Guard pause to gain their bearings during a simulated patrol at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, June 4, 2022. Cadets and instructors from the Kansas and Oklahoma ARNG trained together to combine resources and experience.

Staff Sgt. Bryce Sanders a Sioux City, Iowa native and Pvt. 1st Class Jonathan Casteel, a New Smyrna Beach, Florida native, both M1 armored crewmembers with 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division mounts an M2 Browning .50 cal to the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) of his M1A2 Abrams main battle tank as a part of pre-training checks in preparation for upcoming platoon situational training exercises, Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, April 21, 2022. The 3/4 ABCT is among other units assigned to V Corps, Americas forward deployed corps in Europe that works alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces; execute joint, bilateral and multinational training exercises; and provides command and control for rotational and assigned units in the European theater.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Henry Tellezjaimes, an infantry Marine, left, and 1st Sgt. Jeffrey Lovelace, the Alpha Company 1st Sgt., both with Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct land navigation during a helicopter raid exercise on Ie Shima, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 13, 2024. The exercise simulated taking control of an enemy airfield and supporting further denial operations. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the America Amphibious Ready Group in the 7th Fleet area of operations, the U.S. Navys largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Marine Corps

U.S. Army soldiers partake in various tests to earn their expert infantry badge on May 23, 2022, on Fort Drum, New York.

U.S. Army Soldiers with the New Jersey National Guard take part in the Best Warrior Competition on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, April 20, 2022.

The United States Army's most qualified uniformed interrogation teams met at Fort Bragg, North Carolina to compete in the inaugural Army Interrogation Olympics to determine the Army's Best Interrogation Team of the Year. Military Intelligence Soldiers from Regular Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard components met and thrived in an austere field environment while refining and improving individual and collective HUMINT, analytical, leader, and Soldier skills. The competition was hosted by the 525th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade from August 8 to 10, 2022.

U.S. Marines with 12th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division, conduct a bilateral refueling operation with members of the Northern Army, Japan Self Defense Force during exercise Resolute Dragon 22 at Yausubetsu Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 12, 2022. Resolute Dragon 22 is an annual bilateral exercise designed to strengthen the defensive capabilities of the U.S.-Japan Alliance by exercising integrated command and control, targeting, combined arms, and maneuver across multiple domains.

EOD technicians prepare explosives for an exercise during a training event May 16, 2022 at Fort McCoy, Wis. Audacious Warrior is an explosive ordnance disposal exercise with participation from Airmen, Marines, and Soldiers from a range of units and career fields.

U.S. Marines with 2d Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, participate in rocket training as part of a field exercise on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Dec. 1, 2022. Marines conducted the FEX to enhance combat capabilities while maintaining operational readiness throughout the regiment.

Cadets Benjamin Tolbert, Jack Fancher, and Charles Longacre, Clemson University, work to execute their fire mission in the Call for Fire event at 4th Brigades Army ROTC Ranger Challenge on October 15 at Fort A.P. Hill. The second day of competition saw teams competing in ten different events, before ending their day with a 6-mile ruck. The top two teams go on to represent 4th Brigade in the Sandhurst Military Skills Competition held at West Point Military Academy in April 2023. | Photo by Sarah Windmueller, U.S. Army Cadet Command Public Affairs

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 16th Military Police Brigades Best Squad plot their grid point on a map during the land navigation portion of the XVIII Airborne Corps Best Squad Competition at Fort Stewart, Georgia, July 26, 2022. The land navigation event was one of several events during the XVIII Airborne Corps Best Squad Competition that tested each squads proficiency in small-unit tactics and technical expertise.

Maj. Gen. John Meyer, the commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division, recognizes U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, during Vigilant Fox at Niinisalo, Finland, July 28, 2022. The 3/4th ABCT is among other units assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, proudly working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America's forward-deployed corps in Europe.

U.S. Army paratroopers with 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, fire their mortar system during live-fire training as part of exercise Rock Dawn in Latvia, May 16, 2022. The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army's Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapidly deployable forces to the United States European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility. (U.S. Army photograph by Staff Sgt. Alexander Skripnichuk)

Sgt. Logan M. Dornon, representing the U.S. Army Pacific Command, documents injuries and treatment rendered to a simulated casualty during the medical lanes portion of the Armys first-ever Best Squad Competition on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Oct. 1, 2022. The Army Best Squad Competition tests Soldiers on their individual and collective ability to adapt-to and overcome challenging scenarios and battle-readiness events, evaluating their physical and mental endurance, technical and tactical abilities, and basic warrior skills under stress and extreme fatigue.

Army Reserve Soldier with the 343rd Medical Company Ground Ambulance transport a wounded animatronic canine to the 422nd Medical Detachment Veterinary Services for treatment during Global Medic Exercise at Fort McCoy WI.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Ryan Black, a rifleman with Headquarters Service Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion, III MEF, provides care to a simulated casualty during a jungle medicine course at the Jungle Warfare Training Center, Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 26, 2022. III MEF hosted a media workshop event for Okinawan media representatives to provide a better understanding of what III MEF does in order to enhance relationships with their host nation. The media representatives had the opportunity to fly on military aircraft, observe live-fire ranges, and visit the JWTC. Black is a native of New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Marquette University cadets, part of the nine-person team, carry their teammates to the finish line of the Hand Grenade Assault Course Friday on Range 31 during the 3rd Brigade ROTC Ranger Challenge competition.

U.S. Air Force Airmen participating in Advanced Ready Training - Outside the Wire training go over operations orders at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, Feb. 9, 2024. The ART-OTW course is a pre-deployment requirement to gain experience in specialized tactics and techniques through strenuous training scenarios. Air Force

Paratroopers assigned to Charlie Troop, 1-73 Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division participate in Squad Lanes for the XVIII Airborne Corps Best Squad Competition on Fort Stewart, GA, July 28, 2022. During the Best Squad Competition, competitors were tested on a wide range of subjects including land navigation, marksmanship, casualty care, physical fitness, small-unit tactics and endurance.

U.S. Army soldiers, assigned to the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, observe M109 Paladin rounds impact during training and table 6 certifications. A Fire Support Team is responsible for forward observations on the battlefield and activities such as target processing for artillery units and brigade maneuvers.

Spc. Coy Anderson of Squad 5, representing the U.S Army Special Operations Command, pulls a sled during the stress shoot portion of the Army Best Squad Competition on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Oct. 5, 2022. The week-long competition will assess each squad on their technical and tactical proficiency, as well as their ability to work as a disciplined and cohesive team, featuring a multitude of fitness, knowledge and combat-related events.

1st Lt. Sven Pärand, a company commander in the Estonian Defense League, participates in the Military Reserve Exchange Program (MREP) at Camp Grayling, July 19-23, 2022, during 3-126th Infantry Regiment of Wyoming Armorys annual training. 1st Lt. Sven Pärand spent his time in Michigan taking note of the way American army tactics differ from Estonian during hands-on demonstrations with mortar live-fire and sniper marksmanship training, to observing Army medical practices and touring the Tactical Action Center.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Carlos Gonzalez, a motor vehicle operator, and Lance Cpl. Alexis Velasco, a transmissions system operator, both with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, sets up radio communication device during a foreign humanitarian assistance exercise at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, June 30, 2022. The FHA was conducted to test the Marines abilities to interact and aid humanitarian needs while promoting regional stability and security. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region.

U.S. Army Soldiers with the 404th Civil Affairs Battalions (Airborne) aboard a Black Hawk (UH-60) helicopter during a cold load exercise with the 8th Battalion 229th regiment, during Operation Viking at Joint Base Cape Cod, Mass., July 20, 2022. Operation Viking is an intense joint task force exercise designed to prepare Soldiers with realistic training simulating deployment of civil affairs units in direct support of contigency operation in Africa.

Spc. Eric Banks of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 114th Infantry Regiment, 44th Brigade Combat Team reads his identification number to his platoon leader, 1st Lt. Eric Banks before boarding a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter during training on July 15, 2022 at the eXportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC) exercise in Fort Drum, N.Y. More than 2,500 Soldiers are participating in the training event, which enables brigade combat teams to achieve the trained platoon readiness necessary to deploy, fight, and win.

Spc. Jonathan Renfro, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, covers while squad conducts tactical combat casualty care July 20 at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, during the squad lane for the 2022 U.S. Army Pacific Best Squad Competition. The 2022 U.S. Army Pacific Best Squad Competition consists of multiple 5-Soldier squads from USARPAC units competing for the opportunity to represent USARPAC at the Department of the Armys competition. stations. The non-commissioned officers and junior enlisted will be assessed together in their ability to execute warrior tasks and battle drills, marksmanship and land navigation, and will be challenged to complete a mission as a squad.

Spc. Wyatt Walls of the 218th Field Artillery Regiment in the Oregon Army National Guard wraps up his equipment in preparation for a water crossing that was part of a mystery event at the National Best Warrior Competition held at the Milan Volunteer Training Site, Tenn., July 26, 2022. The day consisted of a round-robin set of events that included combat casualty care, a call for fire, and improvised explosive device lanes. The National Best Warrior Competition has the best of the best Soldiers in the Army National Guard.

PORT HUENEME, Calif. (Aug. 11, 2022) Builder 2nd Class Ruby Sierra and Ensign Patrick Kane get ready to launch a bridge during Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 18s Field Training Exercise (FTX). FTX is designed to analyze a battalions construction capability, expeditionary logistics, and combat operations to support major combat operations, disaster response, and humanitarian assistance.

Medical lane training during WAREX 78-22-02 serves as an annual training opportunity for U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers.

UK paratrooper packs up his parachute after reaching the x during the 2022 Leapfest competition. Competitors must gather up their parachutes after making it to the x after their jump.

A U.S. Army Soldier qualifies with the M4 carbine during a Infantry Advanced Leaders Course on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, April 5, 2022. The Advanced Leaders Course, hosted by the 254th Regional Training Institute, New Jersey Army National Guard, is a branch-specific course that provides Soldiers selected for promotion to Staff Sgt. an opportunity to enhance leadership, technical skill, tactical expertise and experience needed to lead squad-size units. Class 22-02 has Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division, 82nd Airborne Division, and the 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

Sgt. 1st. Class Michael Malabad conducts a series of hands-on tasks in a simulated operational environment during the competition. U.S. Army Medical Command hosts the 2022 CSM Jack L. Clark, Jr. U.S. Army Best Medic Competition at Fort Hood, Texas, January 24-28, 2022. Twenty-two two-Soldier teams from all around the world traveled to Fort Hood, Texas to compete in the finals to be named the Armys Best Medic. The competition is a 72-hour arduous test of the teams physical and mental skills. Competitors must be agile, adaptive leaders who demonstrate mature judgment while testing collective team skills in areas of physical fitness, tactical marksmanship, leadership, warrior skills, land navigation and overall knowledge of medical, technical and tactical proficiencies through a series of hands-on tasks in a simulated operational environment. (photo by Staff Sgt. Desmond Cassell)

U.S. Army Pacific Best Warrior competitors conducted Special Patrol Insertion/Extraction Systems training June 7 during the 2022 USARPAC Best Warrior Competition at the 25th Infantry Division's Lightning Academy, Schofield Barracks East Range, Hawaii. The USARPAC BWC 2022 is an annual week-long competition consisting of competitors from multiple USARPAC units across the Indo-Pacific. The noncommissioned officers and junior enlisted Soldiers are evaluated in several categories such as general military knowledge, basic Soldier skills, and physical fitness.

U.S. Army squads from across III Armored Corps compete for the title of the corps Best Squad during head-to-head competition at the III Armored Corps Best Squad Competition at Fort Hood, Texas, Jun. 22, 2022. The squad representing the 89th Military Police Brigade, including Staff Sgt. Nathan Villarreal, Sgt. Noe Garcia, Spc. Kole Vigilancia, Spc. Austin Moore, and Spc. Daniel McCamish worked together to install an OE-254 antenna. The III Armored Corps pulled only the best from across its divisions and separate brigades to compete in this years inaugural competition. The best squad goes on to compete in the U.S. Army Forces Command competition at Fort Hood in August.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jailen Shaw, 325th Security Forces Squadron combat arms instructor, observes a student firing an M249 light machine gun at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Aug. 22, 2022. Combat arms instructors provide marksmanship weapons training to maintain mission readiness and to ensure Airmen meet qualification standards.

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Francisco Dela Rosa, corpsman, Headquarters and Service Battalion (HQSVCBN), U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, observes as members of the Marine Infantry Regiment in French Polynesia, French Armed Forces, apply a tourniquet during the Aito Course in Taravao, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Sept. 7, 2022. The event provided a bilateral training opportunity between the French Armed Forces and Marines with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific. The nine Marines and Sailor from HQSVCBN participated in the bilateral training with the French Armed Forces in order to strengthen relationships with the region. The courses name comes from the Tahitian word aito, which means warrior.

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Francisco Dela Rosa, corpsman, Headquarters and Service Battalion (HQSVCBN), U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, observes as members of the Marine Infantry Regiment in French Polynesia, French Armed Forces, apply a tourniquet during the Aito Course in Taravao, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Sept. 7, 2022. The event provided a bilateral training opportunity between the French Armed Forces and Marines with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific. The nine Marines and Sailor from HQSVCBN participated in the bilateral training with the French Armed Forces in order to strengthen relationships with the region. The courses name comes from the Tahitian word aito, which means warrior.

U.S. Army Georgia National Guard Soldiers Sgt. 1st class Pete Gibson (Left), Sgt Derek Lewis (Middle), and Sgt. Tresden Wilson (Right), combat engineers, assigned to the Statesboro-based 177th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team apply aid while conducting a route clearance at Fort Stewart, Ga. June 16,2022. XCTC is the U.S. Army National Guards program of record that enables brigade combat teams to achieve the trained Platoon readiness necessary to deploy, fight, and win battles throughout the world. The XCTC exercise will include approximately 4,400 brigade personnel from throughout Georgia. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Alex Higgins

From right, U.S. Army Sgt. Garrett Berg, the lane safety officer, and Pvt. Dylan Fonterot, both assigned to Delta Battery, 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery, 1 Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, observe the target card after achieving a successful zero at FOS Adazi, Latvia, April 25, 2022. The 1st Infantry Division is among other units assigned to V Corps, Americas forward-deployed corps in Europe that works alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces.

U.S. Army Soldiers and U.S. Air Force Airmen train with a New Jersey National Guard UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter with Detachment 1, C Company, 1-171st MEDEVAC during a Medical Simulation Training Center class on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, June 9, 2022. The Medical Simulation Training Center provides state of the art training to aid students in gaining proficiency in treating all areas of trauma and basic medical scenarios.

Recruits with Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, complete land navigation during Basic Warrior Training (BWT) aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., Aug 16, 2022. BWT serves as a test of the field and combat skills that recruits have learned throughout their time in recruit training.

Engineer Soldiers form the 84th Engineer Battalion, 130th Engineer Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, engaged the opposing force and provided first aid during Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center 23.

Sgt. Jonah Lamboley from 1st Battlion, 501 Parachute Infantry Regiment (Geronimo), 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division conducts casualty evaluation June 29 on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson for the Best Squad Competition. The Best Squad Competition and Best Warrior Competition is a single event used to select the U.S. Army Best Squad of the Year, Noncommissioned Officer of the Year and Soldier of the Year. (Photos by Staff Sgt. Christopher B. Dennis/11th Airborne Division Public Affairs NCO)

Pfc. Isaac Ellis, a 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade Soldier, assembles a weapon during an individual skills assessment lane held during the 2022 U.S. Army Pacific Best Squad Competition at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, July 20, 2022. The competition includes the top squads of five from U.S. Army units stationed across the Pacific region, all competing for the opportunity to represent USARPAC at the Department of the Armys competition.

Soldiers with the 370th Chemical Company participate in weapons qualifications on ranges at Fort McCoy, Wis., as part of the Red Dragon exercise in August, 2022. U.S. Army photo by Kevin W. Clark

U.S. Soldiers competing in the Army Best Squad Competition participate in land navigation course on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Sept. 29, 2022. The Army Best Squad Competition tests Soldiers on their individual and collective ability to adapt to and overcome challenging scenarios and battle-readiness events that test their physical and mental endurance, technical and tactical abilities, and basic warrior skills under stress and extreme fatigue. (U.S. Army photo Pfc. Ebony Neal)

A U.S. Soldier assigned to 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment prepares to measure the muzzle velocity on his M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System during weapons familiarization prior to sniper qualification at the 7th Army Training Command's Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Feb. 26, 2024. 2CR provides V Corps, Americas forward-deployed corps, with combat-credible forces capable of rapid deployment throughout the European theater to defend the NATO alliance. Army

Sgt. Cameron Rogers from 1st Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, plots points on a map during the fire direction exam as part of the 2023 Best Mortar Competition, Fort Benning, Georgia, April 10, 2023. Mortarmen are expected to provide lethal indirect fires calculated by using both digital systems such as the Mortar Fire Control System and analog tools such as a map and plotting board.

An Italian Paratrooper runs and dives to the finish marker as he drags his MC-6 parachute on Glen Rock Drop Zone during Leapfest 2022 at Exeter, Rhode Island, August 6, 2022. Leapfest is the largest, longest standing, international static line parachute training event and competition hosted by the 56th Troop Command, Rhode Island Army National Guard to promote high level technical training and esprit de corps within the International Airborne community.

Soldiers of Squad 7, representing the U.S. Army Cyber Command, shoot, move and communicate during the Armys first-ever Best Squad Competition on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Oct 4, 202 2. The Squad extends beyond a traditional infantry squad to any small-unit group of soldiers; these teams can be found throughout the entire army.

Pfc. Dakota Graham of the New Jersey Army National Guards Echo Company, 250th Brigade Support Battalion assembles a tent at a logistics supply point at Fort Drum, N.Y. on July 9 prior to the launch of the eXportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC) exercise. The three-week exercise runs from July 10 to July 30 and enables brigade combat teams to achieve the readiness necessary to deploy, fight and win battles throughout the world.

U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, view targets on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 5, 2022. The exercise allowed the Marines to engage and destroy a variety of targets found on the battlefield in order to increase the lethality of the unit and provide a heightened level of marksmanship with the M320 Grenade Launcher.

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Academy cadets participate in the Commandant's Challenge at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., Oct. 5, 2022. The challenge is an annual event at the Academy focused on military training, warrior ethos, and teamwork. (U.S. Air Force photo/Trevor Cokley)

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Quan Tram, 378th Air Expeditionary Wing inspector general, picks up debris during a Foreign Object Debris (FOD) walk on Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sept. 2, 2023. FOD walks are routinely conducted to prevent engine or structural damage to aircraft.

Soldiers from Charlie Battery, 3rd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, 18th Field Artillery Brigade get a brief on the obstacle course they are about to complete on Ft. Bragg, N.C. Dec. 6 and 7. The obstacle course included 14 obstacles the team had to get through in the shortest amount of time possible.

Squad 8, representing Center for Initial Military Training, navigate an obstacle during day 3 of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Best Squad Competition 2022, Sept, 14, 2022, at Fort Benning, Georgia. TRADOCs Best Squad competition highlights 10 squads from across the enterprise. This competition shows each team's ability to complete common Soldier tasks and skills as a cohesive, ready, and resilient team, while facing stiff competition from other TRADOC centers of excellence. The competition is from Sept. 12-16, 2022, at Fort Benning, Georgia.

U.S. Air Force Tactical Air Control Party specialists from the 18th Air Support Operations Group compete in Dragon Challenge 2022 at Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina. The annual competition is designed to identify the best Joint Terminal Attack Controller teams within the group by testing the competitors steadfast physical, technical, tactical, and field-knowledge skills under mocked combat conditions.

U.S. Air Force Tactical Air Control Party specialists from the 18th Air Support Operations Group compete in Dragon Challenge 2022 at Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina. The annual competition is designed to identify the best Joint Terminal Attack Controller teams within the group by testing the competitors steadfast physical, technical, tactical, and field-knowledge skills under mocked combat conditions.

Soldiers from the 720th Explosive Ordnance Disposal, in Baumholder, Germany, and their Moldovan counterparts, exchange knowledge in detection and marking of unexploded ordnance, at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Hohenfels, Germany, on October 7, 2022.

A U.S. Army Paratrooper derigs his German T-10 parachute after landing on the Drop Zone during Exrcise Falcon Leap onto Ginkelse Heide Drop Zone, Arnhem, Netherlands., Sep. 14, 2022. More than 1000 Paratroopers from all over the world, 13 different nationalities, multiple airdrops per day, and training with each other equipment for two weeks. this is NATO's largest technical airborne exercise

Arizona Army National Guard Soldiers from 2-285th Assault Helicopter Battalion and 996th Area Support Medical Company secure a simulated casualty to a litter before loading it to an M997A3 ambulance truck after conducting a casualty transfer during a medevac exercise at Florence Military Reservation, April 23, 2022, in Florence, Ariz. The casualty, a high-fidelity human simulator that can simulate human physiology such as breathing, heart rate and measurable blood pressure, provided a more realistic training experience for Soldiers during the exercise. (Arizona Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Brian A. Barbour)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Robert Sweetman, a Machine Gun Instructor with 2nd Marine Logistics Group, instructs Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) Support Battalion on M240B medium machine gun dry-fire drills at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Oct. 21, 2022. The training begins with classroom instruction and practical applications, and will conclude with a live-fire range. II MEF prioritizes realistic training and education that prepares its Marines to rapidly respond to crises and contingencies around the globe.

Northern Warfare Training Center Instructor Staff Sgt. Brandan Wisecup instructs Sgt. Thomas Leclerc, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division, on how to set up his climbing equipment during a Prusik Ascent class in front of H Rock at the Rock Site during Basic Military Mountaineering Course at Black Rapids Training Site 10 July. The purpose of the 14-day course is to train Soldiers on how to maneuver through mountainous terrain, and then go back to their units and provide the units with Soldiers capable to get across the mountainous terrain of Alaska. (Photo provided by Staff Sgt. Christopher Dennis/ 11th Airborne Division Public Affairs NCO)

U.S. Air Force Airmen from across the nation are at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center taking part in the Medical Readiness University's (MRU) Tactical Combat Casualty Care course provided by Air National Guard Medical Service (ANGMS), at Alpena, Michigan, August 30, 2022. 93 students, 16 instructors and support staff from 47 units trained for nine days in a variety of realistic combat scenarios. MRU assists the Air Force Surgeon General allowing medical personnel an opportunity to receive hands-on training, execution, employment and deployment for a variety of assigned ANGMS mission sets which may not be acquired elsewhere at a reduced cost for the entire enterprise.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jacob Revie, combat engineer, left, Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Royal, middle, combat engineer, and Lance Cpl. Cole McNally, right, engineer equipment operator, with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 273, Marine Aircraft Group 31, attach a blasting cap to a 40 pound shape demolition charge as part of training how to render an airfield inoperable during a demolitions range at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Aug. 24, 2022. MWSS-273 conducted a demolition range at Fort Stewart to provide Marines with the necessary training to safely employ different types of charges for different scenarios they may encounter.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Alex Fiedler, center, an explosive ordnance disposal technician with 8th Engineer Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 27, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, shows Cpl. Grant Pederson, left, a field artillery fire control with 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, and Lance Cpl. Isaac Arellano, a metal worker with 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Combat Readiness Regiment, 2nd MLG, how to ground themselves to the earth during a basic demolition range on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Feb. 13, 2024. The training exposed 2nd MLG and 2nd Marine Division Marines to the EOD program, enhancing their baseline understanding of EOD and generate interest as potential lateral move candidates . Marine Corps

Staff Sgt. Caleb Cousins, Combat Medic Specialist, 25th Infantry Division, prepares a casualty for extraction during the Army's Best Medic Competition. Twenty-two two-Soldier teams from all around the world traveled to Fort Hood, Texas to compete in the finals to be named the Armys Best Medic. The competition is a 72-hour arduous test of the teams physical and mental skills. Competitors must be agile, adaptive leaders who demonstrate mature judgment while testing collective team skills in areas of physical fitness, tactical marksmanship, leadership, warrior skills, land navigation and overall knowledge of medical, technical and tactical proficiencies through a series of hands-on tasks in a simulated operational environment. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Daniel Herman)

Staff Sgt. Aaron Kaehn with the 176th Engineer Company, Washington Army National Guard, does masonry work with his Thai counterpart at the Ban Wang Nam Khiao elementary school. Multi-national forces are working together to improve interoperability at six humanitarian civic action sites throughout Thailand as part of Exercise Cobra Gold.

U.S. Army Soldiers, representing the 89th Military Police Brigade, competing in the U.S. Army Forces Command Best Squad Competition on Fort Hood, Texas, Aug. 18, 2022. The Best Squad Competition reinforces fundamental Soldier skills and squad level tactics.

A Soldier assigned to 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division conduct first aid training during the brigade Mungadai at the Kahuku Training Area, Hawaii on Jan. 26, 2022. The brigade Mungadai is a multi-day training event for senior leaders in the brigade designed to test them physically and mentally while building esprit de corps and camaraderie. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Alan Brutus)

New York Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Jessica Alese and Sgt. John Whealen from the 107th Military Police Company participated in a react to ambush exercise with the South Africa National Defense Force near Kwambonambi- Mfolozane on July 22, 2022. The U.S. Soldiers are in South Africa as part of Shared Accord, a biannual training event to enhance operational skills and partnership between the United States and South Africa. This year's exercise will include field training and medical readiness exercises. Participants will be stationed at dental, health care, and veterinary clinics with a group of Soldiers from the New York Army National Guard, directly working with senior officers from the South Africa National Defense Force in planning all the exercises and events that will occur in two weeks.

Army Sgt. Gabriel Aguilar and Spc. Zane Townsend with the 368th Engineering Battalion (EN BN) based in Londonderry, New Hampshire instruct their squad on how to search a person for an IED during their annual training at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, July 20, 2022. As part of persevering Army readiness and strengthening Army Warrior Tasks, this years STX focus was on communication, formations, and the principle of patrolling within a tactical environment.

220928-N-PI330-1034 Gulfport, Mississippi (September 28, 2022) Builder 2nd Class Richard Alexander, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 (NMCB 133), assembles the base of a bridge during a bridge building trainer course on Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, Mississippi, September 28, 2022. NMCB 133 is at homeport in Gulfport, Mississippi conducting training cycles.

Airmen from the 139th Medical Group Homeland Response Force and Soldiers from the 737th Search and Extraction Recon Team work together during a decontamination exercise at Camp Clark, Nevada, Missouri, June 9, 2022. The Airmen and Soldiers searched and extracted casualties in a simulated decontaminated deployed environment.

U.S. Airmen unload injured patients during Ballistic Badger 2022 on Volk Field Air National Base, Wisconsin, Oct. 21, 2022. Airmen from Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, departed to Volk Field Oct. 20 for a five day temporary duty assignment to rehearse chemical biohazard radioactive nuclear attacks.

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